All Forum Posts by: Ron H.

Tenant pays me a fixed amount into an escrow account (paper acct only) for water/sewer.  Escrow amount set slightly higher than expected owed amount.  Once a year I adjust escrow payment to match usage.  At moveout I reimburse for any overpayment.  This way I am sure water gets paid and is fair to the tenant also. 

Is this a condo or an HOA? The laws regarding what a condo association and what a HOA can do is very different.

Yes houses that have working toilets are worth more that houses with toilets that don't work.  Maintenance item.  In some areas with corroding lines the house might be considered slightly more desirable than those with older lines, but still more of a maintenance issue to be dealt with.

I use a Brother HL-L2395 scanner/copy/printer/wireless.  Scans in color but prints B/W.  On sale occasionally <$100.  Off brand toner very cheap.  Used to work for a place that would take the print engines out of these to make super rugged mil products.  Will last forever.  I used to keep a HP inkjet as backup for color but the HP never was reliable and realized that I seldom ever required color.  Finally trashed the HP. Very happy with the Brother.  

If there is nothing in writing about openers being furnished I would look for a new PM.  He's trying to pad his pockets.  He should not be trying to scare you into an improvement.  For a non rush based install, good openers can be had for a lot cheaper than 2 for $700.

When I did student rentals I included an electric allowance amount. This was to keep from them setting Ac on 65 during the summer.   Usually going over even $2 and having them pay this overage had an affect on their behavior.

Whether you prorate for first and last month depends on what your lease says. When I did student renting my lease stated 12 monthly payments for a 50 week term the first year.  Allows for 2 weeks cleanup when students move at end of school year.  Renewing residents get the 52 weeks.  1st payment at movein around aug 20th.  Next payment due Sept 1st.  Lease ends around august 6th.  No august payment due for residents checking out.  Most of the student apartments in my area follow a very similar lease period only with 3 weeks vacant between school years.  I would also try to be flexible within reason for movein and moveout days for good trouble free renters

FL has a mortgage tax paid at closing

In FL you would be charged double in taxes for double the line of credit whether you drew from it or not.  Not familiar with OR law though.